World Cup: 10 to watch

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More Top 10s

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Minnows: Ten Doeschate is the best player among the associate nations

Power surge: Gayle can make any ground look small when he gets going

Flying high: Gul's yorkers are difficult to keep out

Long wait: Pietersen's last ODI century came in October 2008

Appealing: Shakib leads from the front for Bangladesh

Captaincy swansong: Vettori has been in charge of New Zealand for four years

Sling your hook: Malinga sends another hapless batsman on his way

Cleaning up: Steyn's bowling sets the tone for South Africa

Shouldering the burden: Sehwag is tasked with giving India a fast start

Elementary: Watson's all-round ability balances Australia's line-up

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Skysports.com looks at some potential stars in the subcontinent

The 10th edition of the Cricket World Cup takes place in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2.

Ahead of the one-day showpiece, skysports.com picks out 10 players worth keeping an eye on.

Shane Watson

The Queenslander has overcome the injury problems that derailed his early career to emerge as a quality all-rounder who averages more than 40 with the bat and less than 30 with the ball in ODIs. Australia are bidding for a fourth straight World Cup triumph and, if that is to happen, Watson will need to play a big role.

Virender Sehwag

India's carefree opening batsman rarely bothers moving his feet much but still boasts a strike rate of more than 100 and 13 centuries from his 228 ODIs. A shoulder injury has hampered preparations for his third World Cup, where the co-hosts are hunting their first victory since 1983.

Dale Steyn

The complete fast bowler, Steyn is the standout member an impressive South Africa bowling attack. Combining express pace with pinpoint accuracy, the 27-year-old's World Cup debut is sure to be worth watching.

Lasith Malinga

Sri Lanka know they can summon their unorthodox paceman to make a breakthrough at any stage of the innings, usually with a toe-crushing yorker. His low-slung bowling action makes it particularly difficult to pick up the length of his deliveries early, something South Africa found out to their cost at the last World Cup when Malinga became the first bowler to take four wickets in four deliveries in international cricket.

Daniel Vettori

The New Zealand skipper's left-arm spin provides a cutting edge for his side with the ball and he heads to the World Cup as the top-ranked ODI bowler in the world. The 32-year-old has already revealed he will stand down as captain after the one-day showpiece and is aiming for a fitting end to his reign.

Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh's captain is also his team's best player, revelling in a dual role of middle-order lynchpin and frontline spinner. He is the top-ranked ODI all-rounder in the world and will benefit from the Tigers playing all their group matches on home soil.

Kevin Pietersen

The brash Englishman's recent ODI form has been poor but he loves the big stage and has the ability to destroy any bowling attack on his day. Pietersen has scored seven hundreds in the 50-over format but none in the last two years - a drought that presumably has to end soon.

Umar Gul

Pakistan's pace spearhead can serve up yorkers to order and has frugality has scuppered many an opposition run chase. During a turbulent few years for his country, Gul has provided some much-needed consistency.

Chris Gayle

Now back in the ranks, the former West Indies skipper is one of the biggest hitters in the tournament and should enjoy the flat pitches of the subcontinent. He averages 39 in 223 ODIs, including 19 centuries, and will be appearing at his third World Cup.

Ryan ten Doeschate

The Netherlands enjoy their quadrennial chance to mix it with the big boys and, in the shape of Essex all-rounder Ten Doeschate, they possess an explosive batsman and useful medium pacer capable of making an impression.